Ramirez's HR Leads Indians

Sorry, Manny Ramirez. You joined this home-run chase just a tad late.

Other than that, your timing has been perfect.

The Cleveland right fielder hit his 43rd homer Thursday night, tying the major-league record with his sixth in three games as the Indians beat Minnesota 9-1.

Ramirez hit three homers Tuesday and two Wednesday before becoming the seventh player and third American Leaguer to hit six in three games. His two-run shot in the fourth off Eric Milton gave him six homers in nine at-bats.

Who better to critique Ramirez's recent power surge than Cleveland hitting coach Charlie Manuel?

"This year, he's learned to get some extension on his swing and hit the ball out here," said Manuel, flicking his hands in front of an imaginary plate. "Also, Manny's a lot stronger than he used to be. We wrassle, and he can whoop me now. Used to be, he couldn't."

Ramirez is the first player with six homers in three games since Philadelphia's Mike Schmidt in 1976. He is the first American Leaguer to do it since Gus Zernial of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1951.

"Just let everybody know I am doing my best," Ramirez said. "That is important. I have a long way to go to be a really good player. I don't ever think of records."

One night after Cleveland clinched its fourth consecutive AL Central title, Dave Burba (14-9) allowed one unearned run and four hits while striking ut seven in eight strong innings. Travis Fryman hit a two-run homer in the first, his 27th.

Steve Reed pitched the ninth, his first appearance since Sept. 7 after recovering from a circulation problem in his pitching hand.

Burba cracked reporters up with a circulation problem of his own after the game. He cut himself shaving and was holding a giant ice ball against his lip when he arrived at his locker.

"Albert showed up," said Burba, referring to his recent brushback confrontation with White Sox slugger Albert Belle, who used to play for the Indians.

In fact, Belle's name also came up with reference to comparisons to Ramirez. The 26-year-old hitting prodigy, prone to mistakes early in his career, is finally getting that kind of respect. In his last 39 at-bats, Ramirez has eight hits -- seven of them homers.

Asked if he remembered any of his players having a home-run tear like that, Indians manager Mike Hargrove didn't hesitate.

"Albert," Hargrove said. "He did that in '95 when he hit 50."

Ramirez's 43rd homer tied him for third in Indians history with Al Rosen, who hit 43 in 1953. Belle hit 50 in 1995 and 48 in 1996.

He also passed Rocky Colavito for the franchise record for a right fielder. Colavito hit 42 homers in 1959.

Milton (7-13) allowed six runs and nine hits in four innings.

"I didn't treat Ramirez any different," Milton said. "I told myself I was going right at him, and I did. He got me, like he's got a lot of people."

Ramirez, who homered in four consecutive at-bats Tuesday and Wednesday, singled in the first -- his first single since Sept. 3, a span of 41 at-bats. He walked in the second, then hit a 2-1 pitch from Milton for a 411-foot, two-run homer to left in the fourth that gave the Indians a 6-0 lead.

Ramirez struck out looking in the sixth against Todd Ritchie, then hit a sacrifice fly in the Indians' three-run eighth for his 12th RBI in three games. He is 8-for-39 with seven homers, raising his season totals to .299, 43 homers and 136 RBI.

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